Manchester United are looking for a bargain midfield signing this summer, with one option emerging in France as a strong choice.
Among the several positions being targeted this summer is the midfield; however, due to the ranking of priorities, there won’t be a huge amount available.
So while Manchester United are being linked with strikers like Victor Osimhen and forwards like Bryan Mbeumo, the midfield is seeing cheaper players linked.
United have been linked with Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney as a potential bargain midfield signing. Meanwhile, United also want Chris Rigg from Sunderland, with the youngster viewed as a generational talent.
These will not be the only midfielders United are looking at, with scouts now spotted watching Algeria vs Sweden during a blockbuster 4-3 friendly game. In which, one player was of particular interest to Christopher Vivell’s scouts.
Manchester United scouts have been watching Hicham Boudaoui
With Christian Eriksen departing an already thin midfield department, Ineos always had a new number eight on the shortlist. Going back a few months and midfield was on United’s priority list.
However, with the work being done on the attack, it soon became forgotten, but now work is being done.
It is according to The Sun that United scouts were at the Strawberry Arena in Sweden last week for the international friendly with Hicham Boudaoui, the focus in Algeria’s midfield.
The report claims that United are considering cut-price midfield options, and the OGC Nice star has emerged to be a target, with scouts seeing him put in a solid outing despite departing the pitch at 4-0 down.
Boudaoui won all of his ground duels, evaded pressure in the build-up, and showed some excellent passing range in the game as United’s eyes looked on. Boudaoui is seen as one of the best midfielders in France, and according to Datascout, he is Ligue 1’s quickest defensive midfielder, while ranking highly for high-intensity sprints, which will impress Ruben Amorim.
The Algerian has several options, with Premier League, Spanish, and German clubs all circling.
Nice would ask for £20m to sell Boudaoui, who has been described as a “diamond” in club media; however, there is one catch to a potential deal for Ineos.
United cannot complete the Boudaoui deal until September 1st
It is no shock that United would be interested in Boudaoui with his relentless work rate and running, which suits Amorim’s frequent demands for his players to run like dogs.
However, it is not a move that United can wrap up anytime soon due to a FIFA rule put in place to prevent intra-ownership transfers.
United, therefore, are unable to sign any Nice players until September 2025, on which transfer deadline day sits on the 1st of the month and slams shut at 7 pm.
So if United decide that Boudaoui is the one they want to strengthen the midfield, they will have just one day to get the deal done, which, based on transfer business by Ineos this summer, looks like an impossible task.
We would hope Ineos intends to complete business before the deadline day, but if a midfielder is still needed, this could be a solid move to bolster the squad.
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